Archery bow stabilizer

ABSTRACT

A bow stabilizer that reduces bow shock transmitted to archer&#39;s hand includes a plurality of weights disposed about a central shaft. An elastomeric material supports the weights and couples the weights to the central shaft. The central shaft is connected to the frame of the bow. Bow vibration is damped as the central shaft vibrates out of phase with the suspended weights.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit and is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/701,132, filed Apr. 30, 2015, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/986,801, filed Apr. 30,2014, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to archery bows, and moreparticularly to archery bow stabilizers and bows comprising astabilizer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Archery bows and bow stabilizers are known in the art. Stabilizersperform multiple functions including balancing the weight of the bow,stabilizing the bow during aiming and reducing shock and vibration afteran arrow is fired.

With respect to stabilization, a stabilizer adds mass. There is ageneral desire for a bow to be as light as possible. A greater amount ofmass generally provides for better stabilization, so there is acompromise between weight and stabilization performance.

With respect to vibration damping, a stabilizer can include anelastomeric portion that allows the stabilizer to damp vibrations, forexample as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,307. Stabilizers thatprovide vibration damping typically provide effective damping across alimited frequency range, which is less than the entire range ofvibrations present in an archery bow.

There remains a need for stabilizers having novel designs, which providebetter combinations of stabilization, relatively low weight andvibration damping.

Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some ofthe claimed embodiments of the invention are set forth below. Additionaldetails of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additionalembodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description ofthe Invention below.

All US patents and applications and all other published documentsmentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of aterm in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein isinconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein,the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definitionof that term in the reference does not apply.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification isprovided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72.The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope ofthe claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed in one or more embodiments to archerybow stabilizers that utilize a suspended mass damper to reduce bowvibrations.

In some embodiments, an archery bow stabilizer comprises a body memberconfigured for attachment to an archery bow and a suspended mass thatsurrounds the body member. A resilient member is supported by the bodymember and the suspended mass is supported by the resilient member.Deformation of the resilient member allows the suspended mass to movewith respect to the body member.

In some embodiments, an archery bow stabilizer comprises one or moreweights arranged to surround a central shaft. The weights are suspendedby an elastomeric coupling, which comprises one or more elastomericmembers. In some embodiments, the suspended mass comprises a pluralityof weights that are interconnected with one another. In someembodiments, multiple bow stabilizers are configured to be attached toone another. In at least one embodiment, the suspended-mass assembly canbe variably positioned along the central shaft and reversibly held inplace by means of a set screw. In at least one embodiment of theinvention the central shaft is fitted with detents that engage andretain an elastomeric or resilient member.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a parthereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, itsadvantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made tothe drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanyingdescriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described variousembodiments of the invention. Various objects, features, aspects, andadvantages of the present invention will become more apparent from thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments of theinvention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numeralsrepresent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described withspecific reference being made to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a bow stabilizer attachedto an archery bow.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a bow stabilizer.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a stabilizer.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a stabilizer.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of astabilizer.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a bow stabilizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there aredescribed in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. Thisdescription is an exemplification of the principles of the invention andis not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodimentsillustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in thefigures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated. As usedin this specification describing a bow stabilizer, the terms distal andproximal should be understood as being used with respect to a supportlocation for the stabilizer—for example, a portion of the stabilizerconfigured for attachment to an archery bow. The term “proximal” meanscloser to the support location, whereas the term “distal” means fartherfrom the support location.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an archery bow 1 and an embodiment of anarchery bow stabilizer 10. In some embodiments, an archery bow 1comprises a riser 3, opposed limbs 2 and a bowstring 4. Desirably, theriser 3 comprises a grip 6. In some embodiments, the riser 3 is providedwith a stabilizer mounting location 8 arranged to support a stabilizer10 using any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, thestabilizer mounting location 8 comprises a threaded receptacle 5. Insome embodiments, the stabilizer 10 comprises a threaded protrusion 16,such as a shaft, that attaches to the threaded receptacle 5. In someembodiments, a threaded protrusion 16 is located at a proximal end 13 ofthe stabilizer 10.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an archery bow stabilizer 10. FIG. 3 showsan exploded view of an embodiment of an archery bow stabilizer 10.Desirably, the stabilizer 10 comprises a body member 12 configured forattachment to an archery bow. In some embodiments, the body member 12comprises a threaded shaft 16. Desirably, the stabilizer 10 comprises atleast one resilient member 30 that is supported by the body member 12.Desirably, the stabilizer 10 comprises a suspended mass 20 that issupported by the at least one resilient member 30. Desirably, the atleast one resilient member 30 comprises a material having greater amountof elastic deformability than either the body member 12 or the suspendedmass 20. In some embodiments, the at least one resilient member 30comprises a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, butyl rubber, anelastomer, a silicone, neoprene, a viscoelastic urethane polymer,various recognized damping materials such as suitable thermoplastics andvinyls, etc.

In some embodiments, a stabilizer 10 comprises a plurality of resilientmembers 30, wherein the plurality of resilient members 30 collectivelysupport the suspended mass 20.

The resiliently suspended mass 20 functions as a vibration damper thatwill damp vibrations in the bow 1. Various embodiments of a suspendedmass 20 can have any suitable size, shape and mass, and variousembodiments of the at least one resilient member 30 can have anysuitable amount of deformability. The specifics of the suspended mass 20and the at least one resilient member 30 can be adjusted to provide astabilizer 10 having a desired frequency damping and a desired overallweight.

Desirably, at least a portion of the suspended mass 20 surrounds thebody member 12. This configuration allows the suspended mass 20 to begreater in weight than prior stabilizers have provided. In someembodiments, the suspended mass 20 comprises a plurality of weightmembers 22 that are spaced from one another and attached by at least oneconnector 28. In some embodiments, a weight member 22 surrounds the bodyportion 12, forming a closed loop. In some embodiments, a central axisof a weight member 22 is coaxial with a central axis 46 of the bodymember 12. In some embodiments, adjacent weight members 22 are connectedby a plurality of connectors 28. In some embodiments, the connectors 28are evenly spaced around the body member 12. In some embodiments, aweight member 22 comprises one or more apertures 23. In someembodiments, a connector 28 is received in an aperture 23. In someembodiments, a connector 28 extends through an aperture 23 and extendson first and second sides of a weight member 22.

A weight member 22 is attached to a connector 28 using any suitablemethod. In some embodiments, a weight member 22 is welded to a connector28. In some embodiments, a connector 28 is press fit/interference fitinto a weight member 22. In some embodiments, an adhesive is used. Insome embodiments, a weight member 22 is attached to a connector 28 usinga fastener. In some embodiments, a connector 28 is threaded into aweight member 22.

Various portions of the suspended mass 20 can be formed from anysuitable material and desirably comprise a relatively heavy or densematerial. In some embodiments, a suspended mass 20 comprises one or moremetals such as steel, aluminum, lead, tungsten, brass, zinc, suitablealloys and combinations thereof, etc.

A weight member 22 can have any suitable size, shape and mass, and canbe similar to one another or different from one another. In someembodiments, multiple weight members 22 each have a similar size, shapeand mass. In some embodiments, a first weight member 22 comprises asize, shape and/or mass that is different from a second weight member22.

A connector 28 can have any suitable size, shape and mass. In someembodiments, a connector 28 comprises a rod, such as a solid rod or atubular member. In some embodiments, a connector 28 comprises a tubehaving uniform wall thickness. In some embodiments, a connector 28comprises a circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, aconnector 28 comprises a material similar to that of a weight member 22.

In some embodiments, a weight of the suspended mass 20 is greater than aweight of the body member 12.

In some embodiments, a weight member 22 comprises an aperture 24configured to receive a resilient member 30. In some embodiments, theaperture 24 is centered in the weight member 22. In some embodiments, aweight member 22 is mounted upon a resilient member 30. In someembodiments, a resilient member 30 is provided for each weight member22, and each weight member 22 is mounted upon a resilient member 30.

A resilient member 30 can have any suitable size, shape and mass, anddesirably resiliently suspends the mass member 20 with respect to thebody member 12. In some embodiments, a stabilizer 10 comprises aplurality of resilient members 30. Multiple resilient members 30 canhave a similar size, shape and mass, or can be different from oneanother.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a stabilizer 10.With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, a resilient member30 comprises an annular shape defining an aperture 32 and a central axis39. In some embodiments, the aperture 32 is centered in the resilientmember 30. In some embodiments, a resilient member 30 comprises anannular channel 34 that extends about (e.g. surrounds) the central axis39. In some embodiments, the annular channel 34 comprises a U-shapedcross-section. The vertical axis of the U-shape may be oriented in adirection parallel to the central axis 39 of the resilient member 30.The shape of a resilient member 30, for example an annular channel 34,may provide compliance in directions parallel to the central axis 34, aswell as compliance in directions perpendicular to the central axis 34.Thus, a mass 20 that is engaged with the resilient member 30 may move inthree orthogonal directions with respect to the body member 12,including moving along an axial direction of the central axis 39.

Resilient members 30 can face any suitable direction. FIG. 4 shows anembodiment of a stabilizer 10 where the outermost resilient members 30face opposite directions.

A resilient member 30 can be attached to the mass member 20 using anysuitable method, such as fasteners, adhesives, friction/interferencefit, etc. Similarly, a resilient member 30 can be attached to the bodymember 12 using any suitable method.

In some embodiments, a resilient member 30 and the mass member 20comprise complimentary interlocking shapes. In some embodiments, aresilient member 30 and a weight member 20 comprise complimentaryinterlocking shapes. For example, in some embodiments, a weight member22 comprises a recess, such as an annular groove 25, and a resilientmember 30 comprises an annular protrusion 31. The protrusion 31 of theresilient member 30 is configured to engage the annular groove 25. Insome embodiments, a weight member 22 comprises an annular protrusion anda resilient member 30 comprises an annular recess (not illustrated).

In some embodiments, a resilient member 30 and the body member 12comprise complimentary interlocking shapes. For example, in someembodiments, body member 12 comprises a recess 18, such as an annulargroove, and a resilient member 30 comprises an annular protrusion 33.The protrusion 33 of the resilient member 30 is configured to engage therecess 18. In some embodiments, a body member 12 comprises an annularprotrusion and a resilient member 30 comprises an annular recess (notillustrated).

In some embodiments, the body member 12 is provided with a plurality ofrecesses 18, each arranged to secure a resilient member 30. In someembodiments, a resilient member 30 is secured to each recess 18, and aweight member 22 is provided for each resilient member 30.

In some embodiments, multiple recesses 18 are provided at fixedintervals (e.g. equal spacing) along a length of the body portion 12.

In some embodiments, the body member 12 comprises multiple piecesattached to one another. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a body member 12that includes a threaded receptacle 17 at each end. The body member 12can be attached to an archery bow using a threaded stud inserted into athreaded receptacle 17. In some embodiments, a body member 12 comprisesa shaft 48 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which may comprise threadedreceptacles 17. In some embodiments, a body member 12 comprises multipleshafts 48 attached to one another. The number of shafts 48, and thus thelength of the body member 12, a mass of the body member 12 and thenumber of recesses 18 can be adjusted as desired.

In some embodiments, a body member 12 comprises a mass attachment 49attachable to a shaft 48. In some embodiments, a mass attachment 49comprises a threaded stud arranged to be received in a threadedreceptacle 17 of the shaft 48. A mass attachment 49 can be used toadjust the weight and shape of the body member 12, and/or the weight andshape of the stabilizer 10.

In some embodiments, a mass member 20 is attachable to the body member12 in multiple configurations that will provide for differentperformance specifics. In some embodiments, a body member 12 comprises aplurality of detents, and the mass member 20 is moveable betweendetents. In some embodiments, detents comprise annular grooves 18.

In various embodiments, a mass member 20 can comprise any suitableconfiguration of weights 22 and/or connectors 28. A stabilizer 10 canfurther comprise multiple mass members 20, for example wherein a firstmass member is not directly attached to a second mass member.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a stabilizer 10. In some embodiments,a body portion 12 comprises a first portion 50 and a second portion 52.The first portion 50 is attachable to the second portion 52 in one of aplurality of orientations. In some embodiments, the first portion 50 isconfigured for attachment to a bow, for example comprising a threadedstud 54, and the second portion 52 is attachable to the first portion50. In some embodiments, a fastener 56 is used to secure the secondportion 52 to the first portion 50. In some embodiments, the firstportion 50 comprises a plurality of detents or preset positions for thesecond portion 52.

In some embodiments, the first portion 50 of the body portion 12comprises a shaft 51. In some embodiments, the second portion 52 ismountable upon the shaft 51. In some embodiments, the second portion 52comprises a tube that surrounds the first portion 50. As shown in FIG.5, the second portion 52 can be attached anywhere upon the shaft 51.Adjusting a position of the second portion 52 will change the specificshape of the stabilizer 10, thus changing its mass distribution.Adjusting a position of the second portion 52 will also move thelocation of the suspended mass 20 with respect to the bow, allowing forfine tuning adjustments.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a stabilizer 10. In some embodiments,the mass 20 comprises one or more auxiliary weights 40. Desirably, anauxiliary weight 40 is attachable to the mass 20, for example beingattached to a weight 22 or a connector 28. Auxiliary weights 40 can beattached to any suitable portion of the mass 20. Any suitable number ofauxiliary weights 40 can be added at any suitable location. The numberand placement of auxiliary weights 40 can be used to fine tune thedamping characteristics of the stabilizer 10.

In various embodiments, the density of an auxiliary weight 40 can beequal to, less than or more than the density of another portion of themass 20, such as a weight 22 or a connector 28.

In some embodiments, an auxiliary weight 40 is removably attached to aconnector 28. In some embodiments, a connector 28 can comprise anintegral auxiliary weight portion 40.

An auxiliary weight can have any suitable size and shape, and can beattached to the mass 20 using any suitable method.

FIG. 6 also shows an embodiment of a stabilizer 10 comprising a firstsuspended mass 20 and a second suspended mass 21. Desirably, thecomponents that comprise the first suspended mass 20 are rigidlyattached to one another, the components that comprise the secondsuspended mass 21 are rigidly attached to one another, but the firstsuspended mass 20 is not rigidly attached to the second suspended mass21.

In some embodiments, the first suspended mass 20 is not directlyconnected to the second suspended mass 21.

In some embodiments, a connecting member 60 is arranged to connect thefirst suspended mass 20 to the second suspended mass 21. Desirably, theconnecting member 60 comprises a resilient portion 61. The resilientportion 61 desirably comprises a highly elastically deformable materialsuch as rubber, an elastomer or any other suitable material, for examplea material disclosed herein as suitable for a resilient member 30. Insome embodiments, a connecting member 60 comprises one or more rigidportions 62.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one ofordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of the claimswhere the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Thosefamiliar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specificembodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to beencompassed by the claims.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims canbe combined with each other in other manners within the scope of theinvention such that the invention should be recognized as alsospecifically directed to other embodiments having any other possiblecombination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, forpurposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows shouldbe taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from allprior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependentclaim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within thejurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should bealternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). Injurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, thefollowing dependent claims should each be also taken as alternativelywritten in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependencyfrom a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claimlisted in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternativeembodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognizeother equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein whichequivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attachedhereto. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restrictedexcept in the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting thedisclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced.

1. An archery bow stabilizer comprising: a body member configured forattachment to an archery bow; at least one resilient member supported bysaid body member; and a suspended mass supported by said at least oneresilient member, at least a portion of said suspended mass surroundingsaid body member.
 2. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 1, saidsuspended mass comprising a first weight, a second weight and at leastone connector attaching said first weight to said second weight.
 3. Thearchery bow stabilizer of claim 2, wherein said first weight and saidsecond weight have the same shape.
 4. The archery bow stabilizer ofclaim 2, said first weight and said second weight attached by aplurality of connectors.
 5. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 2, saidat least one resilient member comprising a first resilient member and asecond resilient member, said first resilient member contacting saidfirst weight, said second resilient member contacting said secondweight.
 6. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 5, said body membercomprising a first groove and a second groove, said first resilientmember contacting said first groove, said second resilient membercontacting said second groove.
 7. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 6,said body member further comprising a third groove, a spacing betweensaid third groove and said second groove being similar to a spacingbetween said second groove and said first groove.
 8. The archery bowstabilizer of claim 1, said body member comprising a plurality ofdetents, said suspended mass moveable between a first detent positionand a second detent position with respect to the body member.
 9. Thearchery bow stabilizer of claim 1, said suspended mass comprising afirst suspended mass, said stabilizer further comprising at least onesecondary resilient member supported by said body member and a secondsuspended mass supported by said at least one secondary resilientmember, said first suspended mass not in contact with said secondsuspended mass.
 10. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 9, said firstsuspended mass having a different weight than said second suspendedmass.
 11. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 9, further comprising aconnecting member attached between said first suspended mass and saidsecond suspended mass, said connecting member comprising an elastomericmaterial.
 12. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 1, said body membercomprising a first body portion and a second body portion, said secondbody portion moveable with respect to said first body portion betweenfirst and second positions.
 13. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 12,wherein said first body portion is configured for attachment to anarchery bow and said second body portion contacts said at least oneresilient member.
 14. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 12, wherein atleast a portion of said second body member surrounds said first bodymember.
 15. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 12, wherein said secondbody member comprises a tubular structure.
 16. The archery bowstabilizer of claim 12, comprising a fastener arranged to fix a positionof said second body portion with respect to said first body portion. 17.The archery bow stabilizer of claim 1, said body member comprisingthreaded receptacle.
 19. The archery bow stabilizer of claim 2, furthercomprising an auxiliary weight attached to said connector.